Will my rooster attack the baby chicks?

[FatBurrito]

Will a rooster attack it's own baby chicks?

 

[Amelia Egghart]

Depends on the bird. Each will respond in his own way.

However, I've found in general, a dominant rooster will behave well toward chicks because he "knows" the babies are his. But a non dominant rooster will attack chicks because he's pretty sure those babies are from the dominant rooster and not his own. Does that make sense?

 

[FatBurrito]

Yes,he's the only rooster there though,he should know it's his chicks?

Although my other baby chick that I incubated (only hatched one) he attacked when he saw it even though he's the only rooster and it's his

Depends on the bird. Each will respond in his own way.

However, I've found in general, a dominant rooster will behave well toward chicks because he "knows" the babies are his. But a non dominant rooster will attack chicks because he's pretty sure those babies are from the dominant rooster and not his own. Does that make sense?

 

[Pork Pie]

It's fair to conclude that it can vary with the disposition of the rooster (among other variables). I'd suggest just keeping any eye on him at first - you'll soon know if he is going to be aggressive towards the chicks or not.

I've never had a problem raising chicks with broodies in my flock - either from a cock bird or other hens. Others most certainly have. It's a case of "suck it and see"

 

[chickendreams24]

It's unfortunate but some roosters seen to view chicks as prey. Others will go so far as to adopt chicks if their mother died or abandons them. It all depends in the personality of the bird.

As a side note and a personal view I won't hatch from a rooster that is aggressive towards chicks just like I won't hatch from a rooster that is people aggressive. I have heard from people that it can be inherited to some extent and a couple small personal examples have led me to believe this is true. We breed for color size laying and such but we value the temperament above nearly all else here. We have small nieces and nephews and I wouldn't hesitate to let them run around with the flock(of course monitored) but I know some people can't do that. They guard the hens well and free range and protect but they must get along (reasonably well) with our other roos and with our dogs and of course us. This includes us being able to handle them without causing too much stress or getting flogged in case of them needing care.

Sorry for the rant. Hope it all works out.

 

[Amelia Egghart]

Was it the first chick he's ever seen? Was there a hen with it? He might have been freaked out by it! They won't always know right away what a chick is and what to do with it I've had good luck introducing a rooster to chicks that were with a broody.

 

[centrarchid]

Level of rooster maturity tends to be the overriding issue. A five year old rooster without prior chick experience is hardwired for proper reactions around chicks. Chick voice, behavior and likely appearance of head tells rooster what chick is. What can cause additional variation in the interaction is whether rooster is imprinted on a given chick. Mine can clearly ID their own broods if in frequent contact with them. The same roosters are less nice to chicks outside their social group but generally not hostile. Hostility is reserved for juveniles and sub-adults from other social groups.


I think most people keeping chickens on this site do not manage in a manner that promotes / allows formation of discrete social groups.

 

[chickens really]

My Rooster loves the Chicks when I introduce my Hens and Chicks back to the flock....He tidbits to them and if one cries he runs and helps the Chick back to Momma....

 

[Amelia Egghart]

Centrarchid, exactly. My first thought was "sounds like a young rooster" but I can't think and form sentences AND type out stuff on my phone!

FatBurrito, how old is the rooster? Maybe he's just too young to be a daddy! Although my EE was a great chick daddy his first year (purchased chicks with no broody). He'd lay on the ground with his head down and let them climb all over him and tug and peck at his comb and bright feathers.
He'd close his eyes and just LOVE the attention! Haha.

 

[Amelia Egghart]

Additionally, the non dominant rooster I have did eventually accept the chicks from the dominant rooster after the broody defended them. He wanted to be with her more than anything so it didn't take long for him to be defending the chicks as his own. Just at first it was a little sketchy, but it was also her first time brooding.

Now they have formed a separate group that are a like a satellite group to the main. They interact and I'll find everyone under the same trees with the roosters apart looking out in different directions. But then they go separate ways when they eat and roost. It's pretty neat to watch.